AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



January, 19 13 



The parlor and the living-room practically become one by reason of the double-arched connections 



Boston, was architect. This house was erected in 1755, and 

 was a small and unpretentious cottage containing but four 

 rooms, small unattractive apartments, built for comfort 

 rather than for any homelike or artistic effects. They con- 

 sisted of a living-room, kitchen and dining-room combined, 

 with two chambers, in one of which, the first authoress of 

 America was born, — Miss Hannah Adams, a direct descen- 

 dant of the presidential family of that name, who settled 

 in Quincy, Massachusetts. 



Like many other old farmhouses, this had, after many 

 years of occupancy by members of the original family and 

 eventually of strangers, fallen into decay and stood forlorn 

 and neglected by the side of the road, while the grounds, 

 which were extensive, lay unkempt and uncared for. The 

 entire estate presented an appearance of desolation. How- 

 ever, to the house-hunter with a keen eye for future results, 

 it appealed, and the present owner recognized a unit that 

 could be incorporated in his original ideas of what his future 

 home should be. 



Gradually the house assumed a different mien under his 

 direction. The four small rooms were utilized in the change 

 and around them were thrown wings containing several 

 larger rooms. Verandas were placed on either side, so care- 

 fully planned that they did not detract from the general 

 scheme. A quaint porch at the front of the house gave 

 shade to the entrance door, and the one touch that made 

 the house complete. 



The color of the house was red and white, a particular 

 shade that was in harmony with the soft green of the sur- 

 rounding sward. Lattices were added at the rear to screen 

 the servants' department from view, as one drove into the 

 semi-circular roadway that led to the stable which was built 

 farther down in the field, at one side of the house, and 

 painted in corresponding colors. 



Window boxes filled with brilliantly colored flowering 



plants were introduced on the straight roof which formed 

 the top of the porch, and the surrounding land was reclaimed 

 and proved most desirable for garden purposes. A clever 

 eye realized the vantage spots in the grounds and the plant- 

 ing of shrubs and flowers brought forth wonderful results. 

 Naturally the old trees that had stood as sentinels around 

 the place were still retained and cared for rigorously. The 

 great sweeping branches of some of the older trees hung 

 over the remodeled house in a most protecting fashion, and 

 gave all necessary shade. 



Separating the house from the road was a stretch of grass- 

 land, around which was placed a white fence of palings, 

 with pillars here and there surmounted by balls. This fence 

 stops at either side of the house to allow plenty of clear space 

 and opportunities for planting. Under one of the elms is 

 placed a tablet marking the historical site of the house. On 

 the garden side the wide veranda was enclosed during the 

 Summer season by wire screening, and during the Winter 

 months, glassed-in, heated, and used for a sun-parlor. 



Passing through the Colonial porch, one enters the hall- 

 way which has been retained in all its old-time architecture. 

 The antiquity of the hall has been further preserved by the 

 use of gray landscape paper which covers the walls, while 

 the old Chippendale card table used for ornamental pur- 

 pose in this hall carry out the scheme for old-fashioned 

 furnishings. 



This hall, like many of Colonial days, extends through 

 the house, ending in a second door which opens into a flower 

 garden at the rear, from which all flowers for the table and 

 other decorative purposes are cut. At the right of the hall 

 are the living-rooms which have been arranged attractively, 

 and combined by cutting arches on either side of the fire- 

 place. This gives a depth which makes the rooms look large 

 and spacious and in addition allows for air and light. Here 

 the walls are hung in soft brown, the same shade being used 



